Diverse Experiences Challenge

In light of the recent increase in complaints that modern games include “unrealistic and ridiculous” diversity of characters, I offer two new challenges for our Grouvee family to complete this year.

The first challenge being to continue pushing back against those who deem that we are unworthy of being represented in games.

The second being…

The Diverse Experiences Challenge

Play a game with a character who…

OR

Play a game developed by someone who…

  • is neurodivergent
  • has experienced a traumatic event
  • has a physical disability
  • is a different race than you
  • identifies as transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer
  • has a mental illness
  • is LGBTQIA+
  • is indigenous
  • is a member of a diaspora
  • is a refugee or fleeing persecution

There are several ways you can go about completing this challenge:

  1. Have a different game for each prompt.
  2. Use the same game for multiple prompts to which they apply.
  3. Mix and match with games that have diverse characters or diverse developers.
  4. Complete the challenge twice, once for diverse characters and once for diverse developers.
  5. Play games that complete the prompt, character, AND developer requirements simultaneously.

And thank you @BMO for helping bring this all together. If anyone else has ideas on how to improve this challenge or offer more prompts for any representation we overlooked, suggest away!

Feel free to help others by suggesting games that would fulfill said prompts but please keep in mind to not spoil specific moments or character reveals that may be better enjoyed blind.

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I don’t have a full list for this yet but here are some ideas I’m considering.

  • a replay of Celeste by Maddy Makes Games. If Earthblade launches in 2025 I’d consider that instead.
  • Hill Agency: PURITYdecay by Achimostawinan Games
  • The Charnel House Trilogy by Owl House
  • Aerial_Knight’s We Never Yield
  • Detention by Red Candle games
  • Pekoe by Kitten Cup Studio
  • Nightmare Temptation Academy by Lena NW

I’m still workshopping other game ideas and will update this when I do.

For anyone looking for ideas about games by devs that are a member of a diaspora or are about diaspora Venba and 1000xResist are good candidates.

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Great idea! I’ll try to update this post as I make my way through the challenge, but for now I’d definitely recommend Honor Bound from Harris Powell-Smith. It’s a stat-driven text adventure with a physically disabled protagonist, and it’s got a free demo!

Really excellent trans and gay rep as well, but for me it stood out by making physical limitations an unavoidable (if not super huge) part of the story. My character had their knee shattered during a hurricane and had to use a cane.

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I like the idea, not sure ill have enough time to finish it. I may have some coincidentally played games that hit the mark.
I guess twchnically ive already hit one, as i played AC Mirage and Basim is most definitely a different race from me lol

Edit: my partner said shes already done a mental health and a traumatic event game as she played Alice: Madness Returns (i wont mention that this was like a year and a half ago lol)

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I might just take this recommendation, it looks quite good.

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Yeah I enjoyed it! Not my favorite Choicescript game by a long shot, but there’s an impressive amount of narrative branching and all the locations are lushly described.

On another topic, but still within the purview of this thread I think, I’d be curious if any of y’all have played games featuring characters with OCD. It’s a daily annoyance for me, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a convincing depiction of it in a videogame.

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On another topic, but still within the purview of this thread I think, I’d be curious if any of y’all have played games featuring characters with OCD. It’s a daily annoyance for me, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a convincing depiction of it in a videogame.

I couldn’t think of any games or characters off the top of my head so I tried to search for some and I’m not seeing anything coming up. :((

Though I’d imagine there are some games with gameplay mechanics that are OCD friendly? I don’t know if that’s a thing so I’m sorry if that doesn’t make any sense. I’m not too aware of OCD in general. I don’t know if there’s any other forms of media you’d recommend for others to become more knowledgeable about it.

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I can’t think of a game off the top of my head that deals with OCD as a topic but I’d be willing to play games that try.

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Good thinking there.

I am not very good a challenges to be honest, I am always behind what in my “I wanna play this” backlog, but I’d love to stick around and here your thoughts. But if something calls my attention and it is not too long to play I might join the ride :stuck_out_tongue:

Regarding Traumatic Events (and I think somehow includes OCD in some aspects) I think some games from Heart Machine fall under that scope, particularly Solar Ash.

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Heart Machine’s founder Alx Preston was also born with a congenital heart disorder and has multiple medical conditions as a result. It’s why he named his company Heart Machine. I’m playing Hyper Light Breaker now and might count that towards the challenge.

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I’m trying to not buy new games until I get through my backlog (or replay), so not sure how well I’ll go with this, but I’ll do my best.

Does the main character have to meet these things, or just anyone on the game?

Also, I had to Google “diaspora” and it turns out that’s me :smile:

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Doesn’t have to be the main character. I also had to Google diaspora hahaha. That prompt was from @BMO. Before the challenge was out, I was already learning new things.

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Any character or even member of the dev team. So it can include portrayals of said diverse characters, or be by a dev that identifies as such.

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Well, Hogwarts Legacy knocks off a few right away.

  • is a different race than you
  • identifies as transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer
    has a mental illness
  • is LGBTQIA+
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That’s the one game that should be banned from this challenge since it’s IP is owned by a TERF. :sob:

EDIT: And while I haven’t played it, I have read about its story being…problematic.

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Is also IP by a TERF whose influence has shaped actual anti-Trans bills. I’d personally feel uneasy about playing that one for a challenge like this, especially since she benefits. I think it might be different if she was long passed and wasn’t directly benefiting from media works based on her writing.

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Sailing to Hogwarts is an option. But still.

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What about Hellblade: Seuna’s Sacrifice?
Senua is a Pict whos lover was killed and is suffering from Psychosis.
The depiction of her psychosis was generally reviewed to be well represented and the developers consulted with neuroscientists, mental health professionals, and people living with the condition.

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I definitely think that’s a candidate, yes.

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One option would be, come play on my Stardew Valley farm, I have OCD that definitely manifests in some ways I play it lol.

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